Do you think Deandre Hopkins will make it into the Hall of Fame

Summary

Payne & Pendergast – “Do you think Deandre Hopkins will make it into the Hall of Fame?”

Podcast: Payne & Pendergast (Audacy) Date: July 20, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Seth Payne and Sean Pendergast debate whether former Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins deserves a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Prompted by Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) release of their “All-Pro Football Focus Era Team” for the NFL (covering 2006–present), the duo dissects Hopkins’ career, legacy, and compares his profile to modern wide receiver greats. The conversation features sharp statistical analysis, insider anecdotes, and guest insights, notably from NFL star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

---

1. The PFF “All-Era” Team and Texans Representation

[01:40–03:18]

• Seth & Sean introduce the context: Pro Football Focus (PFF) picked their “All-Pro Football Focus era team” (2006–present). J.J. Watt is unsurprisingly picked for the Texans on the defensive line.
• Surprising WR Pick: PFF’s pick for the Texans’ wide receiver for this team is DeAndre Hopkins, not Andre Johnson.
  • Sean guesses Andre: “[02:56] I would say that would be Andre Johnson.”
  • Seth reveals: “[03:18] It’s actually DeAndre.”

Key Point:

• The PFF “All-Era” team is based on their internal grading data over nearly two decades, not popularity or older reputation. Hopkins’s statistical consistency edges out Johnson, who peaked a bit later in his career.

---

2. DeAndre Hopkins vs Other Elite Wide Receivers

[03:19–05:35]

• Comparison with Peers:
  • First team: Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, DeAndre Hopkins
  • Second team: Devonte Adams, Calvin Johnson, Tyreek Hill
• Debate: Do all these names feel like "locks" for the Hall of Fame? Most do, except perhaps Hopkins.
  • Sean: “[04:53] DeAndre is the one who like to me far and away has the least amount of buzz like that.”
• Elite Company: Hopkins is 18th all-time in receiving yards—only Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, and Anquan Bolden are above him and not yet in the Hall (but have been finalists).

Notable Quote:

“[05:47] It doesn’t look like the way guys typically do it, but he’s just so physical at the catch point and he just churns out production. And I think DeAndre was better than Anquan Bolden, but I think, I think people are going to throw him into that same category.” — Sean

---

3. Hall of Fame Criteria: Production, Consistency & “Best of Era” Status

[05:59–07:36]

• How to Judge a HOF-Worthy Career:
  • If a player is All-Pro (first or second team) for a chunk of time, “over a five-year period,” that should make them a strong candidate.
• Hopkins’s Prime: 2015–2019 was his All-Pro run, with the exception of 2016, when Brock Osweiler was his quarterback.
  • Seth’s humor: “The only person that could shut down DeAndre Hopkins was Brock Osweiler as his quarterback.” [06:18]
• “Quarterback Proof”:
  • Even with poor QB play, Hopkins normally excelled.
  • Hopkins had nearly 1,000 yards even in his hardest year: [06:41] “Okay, so he's almost 1,000 even with Brockster as his quarterback.”

---

4. Why Isn’t Hopkins a Consensus Hall of Famer?

[08:51–09:57]

• Market/Marketability: Most of Hopkins’s best years were with “good, but not contending” Texans teams.
• Legacy Peers: Davante Adams has high-profile playoff games and touchdowns, while Hopkins was less in the national spotlight.
• Best-in-League Test:
  • Sean: “[09:13] Was there a period of time where people looked at him as the best receiver in the NFL? Yeah, and I don't, I don't think he was ever up at that spot.”
  • Seth counters: Three First-Team All-Pro selections in five years is elite.

---

5. Jalen Ramsey on Hopkins’ Toughness and Respect Among Peers

[09:57–10:53]

• Jalen Ramsey Audio Clip: The only receiver to ever put up 100+ yards on him in a single game is DeAndre Hopkins (2018 season finale).
• Jalen’s admiration:

  “[09:57] D. Put on. He put over 100 on me that game…he had probably 120 to 140 that game...he went to work. I remember I was hot right after the game. I texted my trainer and my pops…‘as soon as I get home, we got to get after it. D Hop killed me today.’” — Jalen Ramsey

• Sean comments: “[10:53] ...That clip needs to be in there because I know they weigh that real heavily. They want to hear about the guys they competed against and what it was like…He had the most respect for DeAndre Hopkins.”

---

6. Memorable Moments – Hopkins’ Hands and Signature Plays

[11:35–12:17]

• Listener Text: During Hopkins’s prime, “I’ve never seen anything with hands like Hopkins...somehow he's getting not just one hand but two hands [on wild throws].”
• Sean: "[12:04] Still to this day, the one catch that I remember the most is him against Joe Haden on Christmas for the Pittsburgh Steelers where he tips it up to himself and then comes down with it."
• Seth: "[12:17] The other one of the best catches he ever made was negated because he himself had lined up illegally. But the one against the Giants up in 2014."

---

Timestamps & Key Segments

• [01:40–03:18] — Introduction of the PFF team and confirmation Hopkins over Johnson
• [03:19–05:35] — Debating WRs on PFF’s all-era team, Hall of Fame candidacies
• [05:59–07:36] — Breaking down what makes a WR “Hall-worthy” and Hopkins’ achievements
• [08:51–09:57] — Analyzing Hopkins’s market, era, and why he’s less hyped
• [09:57–10:53] — Jalen Ramsey’s anecdote: facing DeAndre Hopkins
• [11:35–12:17] — Listeners and hosts recall Hopkins’s most remarkable catches

---

Key Takeaways

• DeAndre Hopkins is statistically elite—18th all-time in receiving yards, multiple All-Pro honors, and “quarterback-proof” production.
• He lacks the media narrative of some peers due to playing for solid but unspectacular Texans and Cardinals teams and not always being perceived as the league's #1 WR, despite his resume.
• Peer respect is strong—Jalen Ramsey’s testimonial is powerful HOF evidence, noting Hopkins was the only one to dominate him.
• Signature moments like his one-handed TD catch are part of football lore.

---

Notable Quotes

• Sean on Hopkins’s reputation:

  “[04:53] DeAndre is the one who like to me far and away has the least amount of buzz like that.”

• Seth on “quarterback-proof” production:

  “[06:18] The only person that could shut down DeAndre Hopkins was Brock Osweiler as his quarterback.”

• Jalen Ramsey on facing Hopkins:

  “[09:57] D Hop killed me today. As soon as I get home, we got to get after it.”
  “[10:44] I can't keep losing like that. He beat me on this route three times this game. I can't lose like that no more.”

• Listener (via text):

  “[11:35] During Hopkins’s prime years, I’ve never seen anything with hands like Hopkins…”

---

This episode uses stats, peer reviews, and highlight memories to build a nuanced case for DeAndre Hopkins’s Hall of Fame candidacy—acknowledging both his greatness and the subtler aspects of football legacy-building.

Transcript

[Squarespace Advertiser]

With Squarespace, you can do more than just build a website. You can build a business. Squarespace helps restaurants and hotels showcase signature offerings and experiences. And with Squarespace, consultants and photographers can create invoices to collect well earned payments. You can even send email newsletters to keep in touch with your loyal customers. Done. So grow your [e-mail] get started with offer code make it real for 10% off your website or domain.

[Dr. Horton Sales Representative]

Now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of its national Red Tag Sales event going on right now through Sunday, August 2nd. Stop by any of its participating communities and find select red tag homes at Incredible Pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss the red tag sales event going on right now. Discover the Dr. Horton Difference at drhorton.com Dr. Horton America's Builder and Equal Housing

[Oregon Lottery Announcer]

Opportunity Builder Oregon Parks make an Oregon Summer but what makes an Oregon Park? Well, Oregon Lottery Gameplay helps no matter the game Megabucks video lottery or keno funds from lottery games help support parks projects across the state, ensuring they stay safe, accessible and open for all. In fact, Discover State Park Scratches are in stores now. It's the perfect way to put a little bit of Oregon's parks in your pocket. The Oregon Lottery Together we do good things. Must be 18 or older to play. Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Sports Radio 610 presents live from the West Point Lincoln and West Point Lincoln of Sugarland Studios. Here's Pain and Pendergast.

[Sports Analyst]

All right, so Pro Football Focus put together their their All Pro Football Focus era team for the NFL. They've been doing each of the 32 teams recently. Pro Football Focus has kind of pro and for those who don't know Pro Football Focus, the website that grades every player every snap of every game and they give them a numerical grade. For people that love numbers, it's a fantastic website. They've got some good stuff on there. So it goes back to 2006. So this is essentially sort of the all pro team in the eyes of PFF. Since 2006, the Texans show up twice on this team. One is an obvious one. J.J. watt is one of the defensive

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

linemen finally getting some respect on this team.

[Sports Analyst]

It's about time. We'll talk about JJ in a little bit. JJ was fun on social media the last few days. So JJ made this team on the defensive line. He was first team along with Aaron Donald. It sounds like they're treating him like an interior defensive lineman for purposes of this.

[KFC Advertiser]

Who?

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Jj.

[Sports Analyst]

Jj? Yep. So the other one that shows up, I said wide receiver shows up on the PFF since 2006. All NFL team.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

I would say that would be Andre Johnson.

[Sports Analyst]

You would say Andre Johnson, wouldn't you?

[Sports Commentator]

I. I'd say DeAndre.

[Sports Analyst]

You would say DeAndre.

[Sports Commentator]

I would say.

[Sports Analyst]

Why would you say DeAndre over Andre?

[Sports Commentator]

I think because of more people look towards newer. Like I've always lived in the world of new is always better.

[Sports Analyst]

This is purely based on scores, though.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst]

Okay. This is purely based on data.

[Sports Commentator]

Oh, then okay then. Yeah. It should be Andre.

[Sports Analyst]

Then it. And it's not.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

It's actually DeAndre.

[Sports Analyst]

It's DeAndre. Now Andre loses the benefit, I guess, of the first three years of his career. I think he made a Pro bowl in like 04.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

So since 2006. Yeah. But Andre really didn't take off until his third year, right? Yeah, Till.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah. And he really took off like in 08. He was the best receiver in football in 08 and 09.

[Sports Commentator]

Like for three straight years too. He was on.

[LinkedIn Advertiser]

Stop.

[Sports Analyst]

He was. He was amazing.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

DeAndre's probably had a more consistently productive year by year.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah. And DeAndre makes first team.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst]

So they have first team and second team. Now they. They have three receivers on the first team. Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, DeAndre Hopkins. The three second team receivers. Devonte Adams, Calvin Johnson and Tyreek Hill. My question is this. You look at those six names. Julio. Julio Jones. Well, Calvin Johnson's in the hall of Fame.

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

Right.

[Sports Analyst]

Julio Jones feels like a lock.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Julio Jones, 16th all time receiving yards

[Sports Analyst]

feels like a lock.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

DeAndre's at 18th.

[Sports Analyst]

Okay. Antonio Brown should be a lock. Yeah, should be. Should be a lock on field player

[Sports Commentator]

is a Hall of Famer.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah. And which is what they.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

They're not supposed to take anything off field into it.

[Sports Commentator]

Correct.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

But they did that with Terrell. Terrell.

[Sports Analyst]

They held him out a couple of years because he was a bad teammate. Tyreek Hill, similar to Antonio Brown. Tyree kills a Hall of Famer. Look at his resume. He's a Hall of Famer. And devonte Adams, I think is on that track as well. Put it this way. Of these six guys who are first or second team, I feel like DeAndre is the one who like to me far and away has the least amount of buzz like that.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah. I think that especially when the. A lot of times when you're atypical, it's not rewarded and DeAndre is atypical compared to those other guys and that his speed wasn't like the blistering, menacing. Right, right. He still affected coverages. People didn't want him running after the catch. But I don't think that people look at him in that same category.

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

But.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

But he is like he's 18th. He's 18th in all time receiving yards. The guys who aren't in the hall of Fame above him who are eligible are Steve Smith, senior Reggie Wayne, who's been a final.

[Sports Analyst]

Who both been finalists a couple times.

[Sports Commentator]

Both probably eventually will find their way in or at.

[Sports Analyst]

In that conversation unless there's a log jam at wide receiver. But continue.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Reggie Wayne and then Anquan Bolden is the one that like a lot of times people would compare DeAndre to Anquan Bolden somewhat.

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

All right.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

It doesn't look like the way guys typically do it, but he's just so physical at the catch point and he just churns out production. And I think DeAndre was better than Anquan Bolden, but I think, I think people are going to throw him into that same category.

[Sports Analyst]

I do too. So he's 18th, huh?

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst]

See, my, my whole thing with the hall of Fame is this. And this is why I think DeAndre is a much better candid than what he's getting credit for. If you're one of the best at your position, if your first team all pro for a period of like over a five year period of your first team all pro and. Or second team all pro.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst]

For most of that period of time from 2015 through 2019. The only year DeAndre Hopkins wasn't in that conversation or an actual first team all pro was the year that Brock Osweiler was the quarterback. The only person that could shut down DeAndre Hopkins was Brock Osweiler as his quarterback. Like it was the one year where DeAndre only had like 800 yards.

[Sports Commentator]

954 that.

[Sports Analyst]

Okay, so he's almost 1,000 even with Brockster as his quarterback.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah, I know. He was a quarterback skeleton key.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

That was the only. Brock was the only guy that didn't figure out a way to just throw the ball in the general direction of DeAndre Hopkins.

[Sports Commentator]

Right. And if he, if he would have had any other quarterback find him that year and go for a thousand yards. Eight straight 1,000 yard year.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Henry Allard is the only other guy. Yeah. You know what, that's what I thought. And then I looked up just to be sure on pronunciation and I thought, I know. Yeah, but okay, well, I know I'm shrugging it here. Yeah. Stupid Gemini

[Sports Analyst]

pronounce. They can't do pronunciation either.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

I haven't pronounced Ellard's name since maybe like 1998 or so.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah, yeah. And he's in the top 18. Our top 16. Yeah.

[Sports Commentator]

Would you consider that maybe because of what we've witnessed with Devonte Adams being last year's leader in touchdown receptions and kind of the fall off of DeAndre Hopkins, that's.

[Dr. Horton Sales Representative]

Now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of its national red tag sales event going on right now through Sunday, August 2nd. Stop by any of its participating communities and find select red tag homes at incredible pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss the red tag sales event going on right now. Discover the Dr. Horton Difference at Dr. Horton.com Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal housing opportunity builder.

[Oregon Lottery Announcer]

The podcast Campus Files is back with more stories of scandal, crime and intrigue on college campuses.

[Squarespace Advertiser]

It is not hard to destroy a college.

[Sports Commentator]

It's almost like a university under siege.

[Oregon Lottery Announcer]

Listen to and follow Campus Files available now wherever you get your podcasts. Oregon Parks make an Oregon summer. But what makes an Oregon park? Well, Oregon Lottery gameplay helps no matter the game megabucks, video lottery or keno funds from lottery games help support parks projects across the state, ensuring they stay safe, accessible, and open for all. In fact, Discover State park scratches are in stores now. It's the perfect way to put a little bit of Oregon's parks in your pocket. The Oregon Lottery Together we do good things. Must be 18 or older to play Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only.

[Sports Commentator]

Why he's not thought about in such

[Sports Analyst]

a prominent way, I don't know. I mean, devonte Adams had some big years, right? Played in a lot of big games in Green Bay. I, you know, does it hurt DeAndre Hopkins that a lot of his damage was done with a Texans team that was his teams? You know, by and large they were good teams, but they weren't, you know, they, they were not contending teams that DeAndre was, I guess.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

And, well, like the old barometer you always use is. Okay. Was there a period of time where people looked at him as the best receiver in the NFL? Yeah, and I don't, I don't think he was ever up at that spot.

[Sports Analyst]

He was first team all pro three out of like five years.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst]

I mean, that's pretty good. You know, I don't know. Like, I. Is it enough to where he's a slam dunk for the hall of Fame? Probably not, but I think he gets. I think he gets under. Discussed in conversations like this all the time. DeAndre Hopkins. There's an interesting cut I saw from Jalen Ramsey over the weekend. We'll play it right here. He was on the million dollars worth of game podcast and said the only. The only wide receiver to ever put up a hundred yards on him in a game was DeAndre Hopkins at the end of 2018. And here's what it led him to

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

do twice for two yards. Now, personally, D. Put on. He put over 100 on me that game because I was matched up on him at least 80% of the time. And he had probably 120 to 140 that game, last game of the season that year. And he went to work. I remember I was hot right after the game. I texted my trainer and my pops in a group message. I said, as soon as I get home, we got to get after it. D Hot killed me today. As soon as I get home, we got to get after it. Would you switch the whole.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Your whole training?

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

Nah, nah, not everything. Just certain stuff that he was killing me on during the game. I'm like, yo, I gotta get better at that. Specifically, like, yo, he killing me at this. I need to find out a new technique to stop that.

[Modelo Especial Advertiser]

Right.

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

Or I need to do this differently. Like, I can't keep losing like that. He beat me on this route three times this game. I can't lose like that no more.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

That's the. You know, if John McClain is still in charge, the guy who's in charge of kind of presenting the case for the guys from Houston, that clip needs to be in there because I know they weigh that real heavily. They want to hear about the guys they competed against and what it was like. I remember, remember that was. That was in a period when Jalen Ramsby was talking smack about anybody and everybody, including his own team, like his own quarterbacks. But he would never Talk smack about DeAndre Hopkins. That was the one. He had the eminent, like, the Most respect for. DeAndre Hopkins.

[Sports Analyst]

12 catches for 147 yards.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst]

In the game that he's.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Yeah, like I said, it was consistent. It wasn't just a Dinkin and Duncan.

[Sports Analyst]

Oh, yeah. 12 catches for a buck 47. Yeah.

[LinkedIn Advertiser]

I don't.

[Sports Analyst]

I'm curious how people feel. DeAndre Hopkins. We're getting some texts on this. During his prime years, I've never seen anything with hands like Hopkins ball be thrown to. To Barnes. And somehow I don't know what that means, but I guessing it means someone's throwing it way far away. Yeah. And somehow he's get. He's getting not just two hand, not just one hand but two hands.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

He is the broadside of a barn. He is so. Which is why Brock is the only Brock. The one quarterback who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn was the guy that couldn't get it get the ball.

[Sports Commentator]

Still to this day, the one catch that I remember the most is him against Joe Hayden on Christmas for the Pittsburgh Steelers where he tips it up to himself and then comes down with it.

[Sports Analyst]

One hand in the end zone.

[Sports Commentator]

In the back of the end zone.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah.

[Sports Commentator]

That's where you realize you don't question this dude when it comes to hands.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

The other one of the best catches he ever made was negated because he himself had lined up illegally. But the one against the giants up in 2014.

[Sports Analyst]

Yeah, 2014. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. All right, so there you go. What do you think? Text in 713-57246 10 all right, we'll get to J.J. watt as well in the next segment. So ESPN has closed the book on the the, the voting that they did for the various positions. Top 10 at each position. The so the numbers are in. Where do the Texans stack up in the number of guys they got in the top 10 compared to some other teams? Who are the biggest snubs? We'll go through these Was there any disrespect going on with the Are your

[LinkedIn Advertiser]

ad campaigns lighting up the dashboard but not the pipeline? That's bullspin and marketers are calling it out in dashboard confessions.

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

My boss asked for results so I

[Sports Analyst]

opened my dashboard for the only positive

[Jalen Ramsey (Guest or Interviewee)]

sounding metric I had. Impressions.

[LinkedIn Advertiser]

Cut the bull spend. See revenue, not just reach. LinkedIn delivers the highest return on ad spend of major ad NETWORKS. Advertise on LinkedIn. Spend $250 on your first campaign and get a $250 credit. Go to LinkedIn.com campaign terms and conditions apply.

[Modelo Especial Advertiser]

This is Modelo Especial, a full flavored golden lager. Crisp and refreshing from start to finish. Brewed with time, effort and determination to get the balance right. Modelo Especial the model for everyday beer Drink responsibly Beer imported by Crown Import Chicago IL.

[Sport Clips Advertiser]

As a fan chosen for the halftime challenge, I love sports for a chance

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

to win the big prize.

[Sport Clips Advertiser]

But when my half court heaves only goes half the distance, how embarrassing for him? I wonder is sport clips better than sports? Because sport clips haircuts is sports on TV plus an expert haircut, hot steam towel and massaging shampoo.

[Sports Radio Host (Pain or Pendergast)]

Tear up his comically large check which

[Sport Clips Advertiser]

is better than Sports plus public embarrassment sport clips. It's a game changer.

[Dr. Horton Sales Representative]

Check it [e-mail] now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of its national Red Tag Sales event going on right now through Sunday, August 2nd. Stop by any of its participating communities and find select red tag homes at Incredible Pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss the Red Tag sales event going on right now. Discover the Dr. Horton Difference at DrHorton.com Dr. Horton America's Builder and Equal Housing Opportunity Builder the Colonels cooked up a

[KFC Advertiser]

new $10 bucket of the day just for you. Monday 24 nuggets for $10 Tuesday 8 piece fried chicken for $10 Wednesday 10 wings for $10 Thursday 8 tenders for $10 Friday 24 nuggets for. Oh, you guessed it, didn't you? $10 finger licking machine the $10 bucket of the day deal every weekday only at KFC. It's finger licking goo Prices and participation

[Dr. Horton Sales Representative]

var not available on third party ordering platforms.

[Squarespace Advertiser]

Tax extra.